A swank LAX lounge for those of us who fly economy

Rejoice, coach passengers. The sleek, comfy ReLAX Lounge, which I toured on opening day, Dec. 4, at Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, offers some sorely needed perks — at a price, of course. For $25, or half the typical cost of a one-day pass at airline lounges, you can pretend you’re a pampered premium-class flier.

This fee buys you three hours of free WiFi, Internet, beverages, snacks, fresh fruit, big-screen TV viewing and more. Through nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, you can gawk at jets taxiing between runways and, often, giant Airbus A380s, which park outside during turnarounds. The upholstered armchairs, many covered in white leather, are divine. (Alas, no couches.)

Is it worth it? If you’re a heavy Internet user or a long-haul passenger with a hefty layover, I’d say yes. Just don’t count on the free food, which is pretty basic, for dinner. Here’s a scorecard:

Read the rest of this article at The Times' Daily Deal and Travel Blog

--Jane Engle

Photo: Jane Engle/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Just facts]

So what are the snacks, exactly? Spell them out already. Just nuts and chips like on southwest, muffins and OJ like in airline lounges, what? If you're there with your whole family and shelling out a hundred bucks for 4 for 3 hrs., that stuff matters. (Airline lounges let you bring family without number as long as they're traveling with you, so if you fly more than once in a great while and/ or with a family, those lounges can make more sense.)

And there will be NO kids after they get a liquor license? But your article says they've got changing stations, so that can't be. You mean, "no minors unless accompanied by adults," right? If so, say so.

Sounds good for the solo traveler stuck on a long layover or delay, but these issues matter for the rest of us.

[Just facts]

Correction: IN fact airline lounges have let you invite non-passengers to meet you there: I've held meetings in those lounges, during a layover in other cities, and they've provided a good place for a casual meeting over coffee or drinks. All the guests had to do, was be checked in by me as a member. I assume that's still how they work -- though first-class/ business-class lounges are for passengers in those classes only. With the changes last couple of years it's hard to keep track to see if lounges have started nickel-and-diming passengers like the airlines have for baggage, food, etc.

Plus how does this coach lounge stack up to those where American Express gets you in -- are there any of those at LAX? (It's often unclear around the world, which lounges that's true for. But like the Tina Fey commercial shows, I've gotten into some nice lounges, at other airports, there were no lounges available.)

A fuller report and comparison of all lounges would be a great idea.